Current Members

Back row: Dennis Whitford, Bishop Claude Champagne, Rennie Nahanee, Irving Papineau, Bishop Murray Chatlain, Sister Dorothy Moore Front row: Rosella Kinoshameg, Sandra Boisvert Missing: Melody McLeod, Nicole O’Bomsawin

Bishop Murray Chatlain
Bishop Murray Chatlain was born in Saskatoon, January 19, 1963. He studied at St. Pius X Seminary at the University of Saskatchewan. He obtained a Master’s of Divinity upon completion of his studies at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, Ontario. Ordained to the priesthood in 1987, he served in a number of parishes in the Diocese of Saskatoon. He was involved in Inner City Ministry out of the Parish of St. John Bosco in Saskatoon. He was pastor of the Aboriginal parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe for three years. In 2000 he took a sabbatical and studied the aboriginal Dene Suline language in La Loche, Saskatchewan. Soon after he volunteered to serve in the North and from 2002 to 2006 he was pastor of Black Lake, Stony Rapids and Fond du Lac in northern Saskatchewan. September 14, 2007, he was ordained Bishop for the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith where he serves today. Bishop Murray loves sports, snowmobiling, and cutting wood which serves him well in the cold winters of our North.

He has been member of the CCAC since 2008.

Bishop Claude Champagne, O.M.I.
Bishop Claude Champagne, O.M.I., was born in Lachine, Québec, on July 22, 1947. In addition to his studies in philosophy and theology in Ottawa, he obtained a doctorate in mission studies at the Gregorian University in Rome. Following his ordination as priest in 1975, he served as a professor at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, while being involved in youth ministry, vocational work and the Cursillo movement. He also did some pastoral work in two communities of the Archdiocese of Ottawa: Saint-Albert and Sainte-Thérèse de Marionville. From 1996 to 2003, he served as Provincial Superior of the Ontario and Western Quebec province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, until being named Auxiliary Bishop of Halifax in 2003. In 2009, he was named Bishop of Edmundston, New Brunswick. Bishop Champagne is particularly active within the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as a member of the Permanent Council, the Episcopal Commission for for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews and Interfaith Dialogue, and the French Sector Episcopal member on the National Council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

He has been a member of the CCAC since 2007.

Dennis Whitford, M.S.W.
Dennis is an advocate for Aboriginal cultural traditions as a means of benefitting children, youth and families involved with child welfare services, where he currently works as Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Services in Peace River, Alberta. In his work, Dennis led the Family Ties program implementation in the 1990s, as part of an effort to keep children in care connected with family, community and culture. Dennis actively practices Aboriginal culture and honours Aboriginal ways of helping through ceremony, consultation with Elders and following the pow-wow trail as a traditional dancer. Dennis’s most recent achievement is his leadership in the implementation of the four Aboriginal Inter-agencies in the Northwest region of Alberta. He is a member of “Our Lady of Peace Parish” in Peace River, Alberta, where he serves on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council as Native Pastoral Council representative. Dennis has also recently reconnected with Cursillo activities.

He has been a member of the CCAC since 2011.

Rosella Kinoshameg
Rosella Kinoshameg is an Anishnabe mother of five, and grandmother of seven from Wikwemikong First Nation, officially known as Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. She began working as a Registered Nurse in 1968. Though retired since 2009, she is still active in the nursing community through small contracts and presentations and is involved in palliative care. She received a BScN from the University of Ottawa in 1977 and an honorary doctorate in sacred letters from Regis College, Toronto, in 1996.

Rosella serves her faith community as a mandated Eucharistic Minister, a mandated Diocesan Order of Service, and Wake Services Leader. In addition, she offers greatly appreciated workshops and presentations on Traditional teachings.

She has served on the CCAC since 2000.

Sister Dorothy Moore, C.S.M.
Dorothy Moore, C.S.M., is best known for her pivotal role in the promotion Mi’kmaq heritage. During her 51 year career in education, Sister Moore has received numerous awards, including the Atlantic Canada Innovator of the Year in the education category in 1990, the Citation for Citizenship in 1991, the Order of Canada, the Order of Nova Scotia and several honorary degrees.

Sister Moore continues to educate by presenting lectures and holding workshops throughout the Atlantic Provinces on topics such as racism, Native spirituality and human rights. She is currently an education consultant for her First Nations community in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

She has served on the CCAC since 1999.

Rennie Nahanee
Rennie Nahanee is a cradle-born Catholic and is a member of the Squamish Nation. He attended St. Paul’s Indian Catholic School (Grade 1 -7), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (Grade 8 – 10), Carson Graham Public School (Grade 10 – 12), and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, graduating with a television production degree. He is a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church where he serves as music minister and parish council chairman. He is the First Nations’ Ministry Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Vancouver and volunteers in the community kitchen, community garden and prison ministry.

He has served on the CCAC since 2008.

Irving Papineau
Irving Papineau represents the English region of Quebec on the CCAC and resides within the Mohawk Mission Parish of St. Regis (established in 1752). He is a member of the parish council and a confirmation catechist. He and his wife Rebecca are active in many parish activities. The parish is very excited and praying for the upcoming canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (also a Mohawk).

Mr. Papineau is a retired teacher and administrator, having worked within the community of Akwesasne for approximately 30 years. He also worked for a shorter period with the Public Service of Canada in Ottawa during the 1980s. He graduated from St. Lawrence University and the University of New York at Potsdam. He and his wife Rebecca have a son and daughter and five grandchildren. All reside within Akwesasne.

He has served on the CCAC since 2011.

Melody McLeod
Coming soon

Nicole O’Bomsawin
Coming soon

Former Aboriginal members of the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council

The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
(1998 – 2008)

Mr. Harry Lafond, who was invited by Pope John Paul II to speak at the Synod of Bishops' Special Assembly for America
(1998-2010)

Mrs. Shirley Leon, British Columbia
(1998-2008)

Deacon Ronald Boyer, St. Francis Xavier Mission in Kahnawake, Canadian vice-postulator for the canonization Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
(1998 – 2011)